Qi Gong

What is Qi Gong?

Qi Gong is pronounced “chi kung”, where Qi translates to “Energy or Life Force” and Gong translates to “Work or Training”. It is a very broad term and therefore is used to name many forms of exercise or meditation that involves Energy or Life Force.

Similar to the word “kung fu”, which is a name used in the western world to refer to all martial arts that originates from China. The word “qi gong”, is a name given to all energy related training or practice that originates from China.

The spectrum of qi gong practices is vast and diverse as with the rich tapestry of Chinese culture of over four thousand years. To help understand it better, we can classify qi gong into 2 broad categories: Hard Qi Gong and Soft Qi Gong.

Hard Qi Gong is a skill used to train the body to withstand blows to the body that would normally incapacitate a person. Practice involves meditation and breathing techniques to allow the body to train under adverse conditions to toughen up the muscles, skin and bones. An example of hard qi gong would be Shaolin monks breaking bricks on their heads or bending a spear with their throat.

Soft Qi Gong involves cultivating the flow of qi within our body. Sometimes it is referred to as Yang Sheng Qi Gong, where Yang translates to “cultivate” and Sheng translates to “Life”, meaning Qi Gong that is practiced for Health.

Yang Sheng Qi Gong or Health Qi Gong can be further classified into 2 sub categories: Static (Passive) and Dynamic (Active). Static Qi Gong does not require any body movements and can be performed in a standing or sitting pose, while Dynamic Qi Gong does require body movements.

Static Qi Gong

Dynamic Qi Gong

Even within the realm of dynamic qi gong, you will encounter many different schools and forms of qi gong. However since movements are involved, these movements are compiled into a form and then given a name. Therefore it is comparatively easier to identify the type of qi gong you are practicing. For example, if you say I am practicing “Yi Jin Jing” or “Tendon Changing Classic” then people know exactly what you are practicing.

The following qi gong forms are officially recognized by the Chinese Health Qi Gong Association: